Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Beverly Johnson

Keywords

Cardiovascular Diseases -- rehabilitation; Exercise Therapy; Patient Compliance

Abstract

The efficacy of a cardiac rehabilitation program depends on adequate patient compliance. Patients with coronary heart disease and those recovering from heart surgery may have a successful recovery from acute episodes of myocardial infarction or following operation. It must be recognized that they may require long-term supervision and support. The purpose of this study was to identify if diagnosis of myocardial infarction or heart surgery was a determinant of compliance with exercise guidelines once a patient has graduated from a level II cardiac rehabilitation program. A retrospective chart audit was performed for the years 1991-1994. A data sheet was used to record diagnosis, exercise parameters, and target heart rate as recalled by the patient six months after graduation from a level II cardiac rehabilitation program. Factors were analyzed using traditional descriptive and analytical statistics to reflect a hierarchy for prognostic value.

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